Business.com & Yahoo Directories

[Ohioquotes]

My sites ranked pretty well before Penguin and they're now holding up but still have been ht for many terms.

Would it now be a good idea to get included in these two directories? I assume that now, more than ever, Google would view it very favorably.

Interested in opinions.

Thanks.


Great game this afternoon. Flyers look like they're ready to take it in 5.

[Mister Rex]

I have all my sites in the Yahoo and BOTW directories. That is more brand building the backlink building, which is what you need to be doing, anyway.

[TheProgrammer]

Business.com $299/yearly
Yahoo $299/yearly

$600 for just directory listing? i wouldn't ever do this. better you should outsource this to some quality backlink providers.

[Ohioquotes]

"outsource this to some quality backlink providers."

That seems rather risky in this new environment. Who can you really trust and is there anything really better than the two I mentioned?

[Mister Rex]

Originally Posted by TheProgrammer

Business.com $299/yearly
Yahoo $299/yearly

$600 for just directory listing? i wouldn't ever do this. better you should outsource this to some quality backlink providers.

Links on Yahoo's Directory = Building a Business
Links from a Service Provider = Same as every other low level player in the niche

Build your business.

[retsek]

Originally Posted by Ohioquotes

My sites ranked pretty well before Penguin and they're now holding up but still have been ht for many terms.

Would it now be a good idea to get included in these two directories? I assume that now, more than ever, Google would view it very favorably.

Interested in opinions.

Thanks.


Great game this afternoon. Flyers look like they're ready to take it in 5.

Well my opinion is that you should remove the bunch of spammy links in your sig for one. They won't do you any good in the long term. Nor are they any useful for warriors.

Then go get that Yahoo Listing. BOTW is ok too. With DMOZ, you'll most likely need to bribe your way in.

[Ohioquotes]

Thanks. Re the spammy links...Aren't all Signature links a bit spammy?

And it is ironic that you mentioned that because I hear Signature links are supposedly now frowned upon by Penguin. If I can confirm that, I'll delete them in a hurry.

[Fraggler]

It might pay off more (targeted traffic wise) to advertise in an industry directory rather than general ones like DMOZ and Yahoo.

[Ohioquotes]

What if these industry directories are Paid directories?

Is Google still OK with that? I thought not.

[retsek]

Originally Posted by Ohioquotes

What if these industry directories are Paid directories?

Is Google still OK with that? I thought not.

They say they are "ok" with any directory that is not a free-for-all where everyone gets in. There are very few of those.

There must be a review process and if there's payment, that payment should be for a review without the guarantee of a listing.

[SamDermot]

There are few directories like Dmoz, yahoo directories which are helpful, others are useless.

[Ohioquotes]

So is there a list (a reputable list from someone reputable!) of the directories that are worth applying to?

[retsek]

Originally Posted by Ohioquotes

So is there a list (a reputable list from someone reputable!) of the directories that are worth applying to?

SEO Web Directory List - Web, Social and Local Directories | SEOmoz

[Ohioquotes]

Re that list...as an example...the Dmegs Directory says "fast activation. Approved within 24 hours. Money back guarantee."

That sounds like what Google doesn't want you to do.

[retsek]

Originally Posted by Ohioquotes

Re that list...as an example...the Dmegs Directory says "fast activation. Approved within 24 hours. Money back guarantee."

That sounds like what Google doesn't want you to do.

Well yes, you have to use your own discretion in picking directories.

On SEOMoz's part they seemed to have let alot of crap directories be listed recently:

Out of the list, I'd recommend the following:

Alltop
Yahoo
BOTW
Business.com
GoGuides.org
UncovertheNet
Family Friendly
JoeAnt
Web Beacon
HotVSNot
SoMuch
Megri

For directories not listed or any ones you come across, you can decide whether they good by doing these things and asking yourself these questions:

- Check their Domain Authority. For example, If they are PR5, their DA should be around 50-60. Large differences between PR and DA is a red flag, but there are explanations like for example if either PR or DA haven't been updated in a while.

- Check their source of backlinks. Is it from hidden links or redirects? Are their links primarily from other directories?

- Do internal pages have PR and inbound links ?

- Check whether the directory ranks for it's domain name. Where does it rank for keywords used in its homepage title ?

- How good are the sites currently listed in your desired category? You don't want to be associated with bad sites.

- Does the directory go out and add new sites on their own? Or do they just wait around for submissions?

- Does the directory list well known authority sites that you would expect to be listed in certain categories? For example, if the directory had a category called "Internet Marketing Forums", you would certainly expect WarriorForum to be listed, likewise for a Health category, WebMD should be listed.

[Ohioquotes]

Thanks. That helps a lot.

[thomasr]

Paying $600 for 2 directory links is terrible...unless your company can afford that

Better to spend on content development or 60 niche directories at $10 each

[retsek]

Originally Posted by thomasr

Paying $600 for 2 directory links is terrible...unless your company can afford that

Better to spend on content development or 60 niche directories at $10 each

If you're competing in niches worth a damn and your competition is listed, then I'd say you really can't afford not to.

[C Rebecca]

I think, there is no harm in doing directory submission. Google consider these directories as reputed directories and does not give you minus points for this.

[Ohioquotes]

"Well my opinion is that you should remove the bunch of spammy links in your sig for one"

DONE!

I was informed by a very trusted associate that the links in my signature may be hurting my websites. So...they are gone! The only one there is now my passion. My lifelong dream!

[Mister Rex]

Originally Posted by thomasr

Paying $600 for 2 directory links is terrible...unless your company can afford that

Better to spend on content development or 60 niche directories at $10 each

Its not terrible, it is a business decision.

[mosthost]

Originally Posted by Ohioquotes

"Well my opinion is that you should remove the bunch of spammy links in your sig for one"

DONE!

I was informed by a very trusted associate that the links in my signature may be hurting my websites. So...they are gone! The only one there is now my passion. My lifelong dream!

I see no indication that WF sig links hurt your rankings.

Let's not turn into PARANOID NUTJOBS around here.

[Mister Rex]

Originally Posted by mosthost

I see no indication that WF sig links hurt your rankings.

Let's not turn into PARANOID NUTJOBS around here.

Depending on how many posts he has, it can kill links per domain average really quick. It can also inflate anchor text too bad, as well. I would never link to my sites in a forum signature.

[Ohioquotes]

Very true. I removed my signature from a few other Forums where I had a lot of links.

It seems as if the whole Penguin idealogy is...if it's too easy to get the backlink, don't bother. And actually, that does make sense.